JerseyNet is the nation’s first deployable wireless communications network dedicated for use by public safety agencies. Created to address the challenges of providing public safety officials with uninterrupted service during emergencies, JerseyNet is part of a nationwide interoperable communications movement working to connect first responders across different agencies, regions, and technologies. It has been deployed to multiple events in and around New Jersey, including the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia, the Atlantic City Air Show and Miss America Pageant, the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, and the 96th Annual Far Hills Steeplechase.

Join Principal Planner Alex Newman as he and Interoperable Communications Chief Steve Talpas discuss this innovative and valuable asset for New Jersey first responders.

These two-hour awareness sessions, led by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), provides you with an overview of the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). The NPSBN will be a single, interoperable network dedicated to public safety that will provide high-speed data capabilities to supplement voice capabilities of land mobile radio networks.

NJOHSP will also provide an overview of JerseyNet, an early proof-of-concept for the NPSBN. JerseyNet provides constant communication service throughout three geographic regions in New Jersey and has deployable assets that can provide temporary communications at any location in or around the state.

Audience

These awareness sessions are recommended for all first responders, police, fire, EMS, including those who are involved with command centers, emergency operation centers, and 911 communications. Elected officials or other government representatives, including but not limited to city managers, public safety commissioners and Chief Information Officers (CIOs), are also welcome.

Background

JerseyNet is a deployable, wireless data network dedicated for public safety. JerseyNet was created as a proof of concept for the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). The project was funded by the fiscal year 2010 Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), a grant provided by the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Today’s wireless communications services used by public safety agencies are dependent upon commercial infrastructure, leaving first responders to compete with the general public for limited bandwidth. These services can also become unreliable in severe weather, in rural areas, or when physical infrastructure has been compromised. For police, fire, and medical services, unreliable wireless service can degrade critical communications and put lives at risk. JerseyNet provides new wireless capabilities to first responders while demonstrating the future potential of the NPSBN.

Capabilities

JerseyNet provides constant communication service throughout three geographic regions in New Jersey: the Route 21 corridor, Camden County, and Atlantic City. Deployable assets can also provide temporary communication service at any location in or around New Jersey. When on location, JerseyNet can facilitate interoperability among existing radios in use on scene, enable access to mobile applications used by first responders, and provide Internet access that is not dependent upon the existing commercial network.

JerseyNet can be deployed at the request of governments or public safety agencies within the state. It has been deployed to multiple events in and around New Jersey, including the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia, the Atlantic City Beach and Air Shows, the Miss America Pageant, the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, the 96th Annual Far Hills Steeplechase, the Millville Airshow, and the Princeton University Alumni Weekend.